Vapor electric apparatus.



I E. WEINTRAUB. VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30, 19 05. iiENEWED FEB. 5, I915. 7

W/f/VESSES Fig.

nunl lmhk Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

WI/EA/TOH I Yv 4 Original application filed March 23, 1903,

EZECHIEL WEINTRAUB, OF SCHENEC'IADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VAPOR ELECTRIC APPARATUS.

Serial no Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

. 149,054.. Divided and this application filed June so,

1905,Seria1 No. 267,720. Renewed February 5, 1915.. Serial No. 6,371.v

cation, Serial No. 149,084 filed March 23,

1903, entitled Rectifying alternating current. I 1

The invention in the present case relates to certain arrangementsinvolved in con trolling the flow of current of vapor electric devicesusing alternating current. Devices of this character are ordinarilyprovided with a plurality of anodes or positive electrodes connected tothe respective mains of the current supply system, and'a cathode ornegative electrode cooperating with the anodes. In order to prevent orto oppose an excessive flow of current between the two supply mains ofthe system, I include in series therewith a resistance or an inductance.I prefer, however, to useinductance inasmuch as lessenergy is therebyconsumed in heat, while at the same time any abnormal flow of current iseffectually opposed and normal or stable operation of the system therebysecured.

The novel features which characterize my invention I have pointed outwith particularity in the appended claims. For a better understanding ofmy invention reference maybe had to the accompanying description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1represents a rectifier system embodying my invention; and Fig. 2, amodified arrangement. V

In Fig. 1 the supply mains for the rectifier are shown at 1 and 2 andacross these mains are connected the inductance coils 3 and 4. Theexhausted receptacle 5 of the rectifier proper is provided at its lowerportion with the three mercury electrodes 6, 7 and 8. The consumptioncircuit, indicated generally at 9, has one lead connected to the middleelectrode 7 and the other to the junction between the twoinductancecoils 3 and 4. To start the apparatus the receptacle is tilted or shakenso as to produce momentary contact between the middle electrode .or

cathode 7 and one or more of the anodes 6 and 8. The resulting arc, whenof the proper direction, causes the apparatus to start. The 'inductances3 and 4 cause the arcs from the cathode to overlap and thus render theapparatus self-operating. The upper portion ofthe chamber or receptacle5'is utilized as a condensing chamber for coolingthe mercury vapor. I

To assist in securing stability of operation, I connect in circuit withthe mains leading to the rectifier a resistance such. as indicated at10. Inasmuch, however, as a non-inductive resistance consumes energy, Imay replace it by an inductive resistance, thus attaining stabilitywithout undue expenditure of energy. Such an inductive resistance I haveindicated at 11 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 which Ihave-used to lllustrate the I application of an inductivesteadying means, represents arectifier which is substantially the samein principle as that shown in Fig. 1 except that the electrodes 6 and 8,inasmuch as they operate as positive electrodes or anodes and aretherefore not required to be vaporized to sustain the flow of current,

are replaced by electrodes of non-vaporiz-.

each other across the supply mains '20 and 21. The anodes 14 and 15 areconnected to the respective supply mains, and the oathode 13 to thejunction between the inductance coils as shown. Suitable leadingin wiresare emploved for thepurpose'of conveying current through the walls ofthe envelop or receptacle.

To start the rectifier, the level of the mercury 13 is raised so as totouch, and then separate from, the anodes 14 and 15. thus starting thearcs, an operation which has already been described. The contact betweenthe mercury and the upper electrodes may be effected by shaking thereceptacle or by some electrical or otherwise actuated mechanism forraising or lowering the level ofthe mercury,the precise details of thearrangements used being susceptible of considerable variation.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of'the UnitedStates, is,-

1. The combination of an exhausted receptacle, a plurality of positiveelectrodes therein, a negative electrode of vaporizable materialtherein, connections between the electrodes and a source of alternatingcurrent, and means for preventing arcing between the positiveelectrodes.

2. The combination. of an exhausted receptacle, a plurality of positiveelectrodes therein, a negative electrode of vaporizable materialtherein, connections between the electrodes and a source of alternatingcurrent, and an impedance in the lead of one of the positive electrodes.

3. The combination of an exhausted receptacle, a plurality of positiveelectrodes therein, a negative electrode of vaporizable materialtherein, connections between the electrodes and a source of alternatingcurpedance in the lead to every otherpositive electrode.

5. The combination of an exhausted receptacle, a plurality of positiveelectrodes therein, a negative electrode of vaporizable materialtherein, connections between the electrodes and a source of alternatingcurrent, and means external to the receptacle for preventing arcingbetween the positive electrodes.

In witness whereof,I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of June,1905.

EZECHIEL WEINTRAUB.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFoRD.

